I recently donated blood and received a follow up letter saying that there was a technical problem when testing my blood which gave a non specific reaction in the screening test. They went on to say that there is absolutely no significance in my health and no need to see my doctor or to have further tests done. I did ring their help line and asked some questions. They said this can happen either through the testing because of technical issues only or a recent cold or flu or other antibodies. I am not overly worried but more curious as to whether the herpes virus could upset the blood that I have donated. They don't as a rule test for herpes. The UK health service are not very forthcoming with information and I know that blood testing in america is more common i.e. the patient in the usa seems to be able to request blood tests for whatever more readily than here. Can anyone tell me is this quite a common thing and whether the herpes virus would interfere in a usable blood donation. Thanks
I am glad they said it is nothing to be concerned about, I don't know the answer to your question though
I did a search and found this: http://www.redcrossblood.org/donating-blood/eligibility-requirements/eligibility-criteria-topic